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| Gay marriage: All Welsh Tory MPs to vote against bill | Gay marriage: All Welsh Tory MPs to vote against bill |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| All Welsh Conservative MPs are set to vote against legalising gay marriage. | All Welsh Conservative MPs are set to vote against legalising gay marriage. |
| The eight-strong Tory contingent from Wales have confirmed they will oppose plans in the Commons later on Tuesday. | The eight-strong Tory contingent from Wales have confirmed they will oppose plans in the Commons later on Tuesday. |
| The issue has caused a split in the Tory party, with many MPs expected to use a free vote in the Commons to oppose a bill. | The issue has caused a split in the Tory party, with many MPs expected to use a free vote in the Commons to oppose a bill. |
| But while Welsh Liberal Democrat, Plaid Cymru and most Labour MPs will vote for the proposal, the Labour former Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy will oppose it. | But while Welsh Liberal Democrat, Plaid Cymru and most Labour MPs will vote for the proposal, the Labour former Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy will oppose it. |
| Mr Murphy, the Torfaen MP and a papal knight, said he opposed the redefinition of marriage, although he supports civil partnership. | Mr Murphy, the Torfaen MP and a papal knight, said he opposed the redefinition of marriage, although he supports civil partnership. |
| As they have a free vote MPs are able to vote according to their conscience rather than along party lines. | As they have a free vote MPs are able to vote according to their conscience rather than along party lines. |
| However, the plans have been strongly backed by Prime Minister David Cameron. | However, the plans have been strongly backed by Prime Minister David Cameron. |
| Culture Secretary Maria Miller has said that allowing same sex couples to marry is the "right thing to do". | Culture Secretary Maria Miller has said that allowing same sex couples to marry is the "right thing to do". |
| The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill would enable same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies, where a religious institution had formally consented, in England and Wales. | The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill would enable same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies, where a religious institution had formally consented, in England and Wales. |
| It would also allow couples who had previously entered into civil partnerships to convert their relationship into a marriage. | It would also allow couples who had previously entered into civil partnerships to convert their relationship into a marriage. |
| Welsh Secretary David Jones and Wales Office minister Stephen Crabb said the vote was a conscience issue but declined to give interviews on the subject. | Welsh Secretary David Jones and Wales Office minister Stephen Crabb said the vote was a conscience issue but declined to give interviews on the subject. |
| Two prominent local Tories href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-21327404" >have explained their opposing views on the issue. | |
| 'Significant damage to party' | 'Significant damage to party' |
| Peter Davies, a former member of the Welsh Conservative management board, said he was "entirely in favour of civil partnerships" but added: "I believe in the religious definition of marriage - a man and a woman". | Peter Davies, a former member of the Welsh Conservative management board, said he was "entirely in favour of civil partnerships" but added: "I believe in the religious definition of marriage - a man and a woman". |
| However, Rene Kinzett, who chairs the Tory Reform Group in Wales, said a change in the law would "recognise that couples in same sex relationships deserve the same rights and should be subject to the same responsibilities as opposite sex couples". | However, Rene Kinzett, who chairs the Tory Reform Group in Wales, said a change in the law would "recognise that couples in same sex relationships deserve the same rights and should be subject to the same responsibilities as opposite sex couples". |
| This will be MPs' first debate and vote on the bill. Reports suggest upwards of 120 Tory MPs could vote against the plans, including some cabinet ministers. | This will be MPs' first debate and vote on the bill. Reports suggest upwards of 120 Tory MPs could vote against the plans, including some cabinet ministers. |
| The measure is expected to get through, with most on the Labour and Lib Dem benches supporting it. | The measure is expected to get through, with most on the Labour and Lib Dem benches supporting it. |
| On Sunday, more than 20 current and former constituency chairmen delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street urging the prime minister to delay any parliamentary decision on gay marriage until after the next election. | On Sunday, more than 20 current and former constituency chairmen delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street urging the prime minister to delay any parliamentary decision on gay marriage until after the next election. |
| They warned of "significant damage to the Conservative Party in the run-up to the 2015 election" if the plans enter law. | They warned of "significant damage to the Conservative Party in the run-up to the 2015 election" if the plans enter law. |
| However, the culture secretary, who is leading the bill through Parliament, defended the proposals, saying marriage as an institution had always evolved and would continue to do so. | However, the culture secretary, who is leading the bill through Parliament, defended the proposals, saying marriage as an institution had always evolved and would continue to do so. |